As part of your Capstone course for the MSW program in Social Work, you may be presenting trainings or engaging with organizations in an online format. The work you are doing is important, and you’ll want to do your best as you work with others on your capstone project. Below, I mention five ways you can help your online work to be successful.
Do a Tech Check
Taking the time to try out your technology before your training with a friend, stakeholder from your training group, or colleague will help to ensure that you are prepared for the meeting, have the technology that you need, and that you feel confident in focusing on your content rather than the technology. It can also give you a sense of how long you’ll need to conduct your training.
Additionally, consider asking someone to be your “producer” and handle the technology for you, such as managing the PowerPoint, starting the recording, and watching the chat box. This can let you focus on delivering the content effectively instead of worrying about what else is happening.
Always make sure that you have a technological Plan B. What if your video camera doesn’t work? What if you can’t share your PowerPoint? You can still give a great training if you take the time to consider your Plan B before you begin.
Plan for Active Learning
You have information you would like to share with your group, and it is easy to lean towards lecturing with a well-developed PowerPoint presentation. Make sure to plan for active learning where participants can engage in activities, conversations, or small group work. This will ensure that they retain the information you’d like them to receive, without getting too much Zoom fatigue. If you meeting is more than an hour, plan to have a short break for folks to use the bathroom, or just to stretch. Remember that active learning can take longer than lecture, so plan accordingly to ensure you have enough time.
Humanize the Experience
In a world where we spend so much time on a computer, it’s easy to think of your participants as little boxes on a screen. Remember that these are humans, with a human need for the information you are sharing. As appropriate, provide ways for people to react to what you are saying- keep cameras on, use a thumbs up sign when participants agree, or nod vigorously to show they are engaged. Even if cameras can’t be turned on, you can have students use the reactions in Zoom, or type in the chat box to provide some consistent feedback.
Consider leaving space for more natural connections- log on a few minutes early, and stay a few minutes late to visit with participants informally. Provide opportunities for participants to share their experiences and make personal connections.
Handle Difficult Topics with Compassion
Many of the sessions you’ll be providing as part of the MSW capstone are handing difficult topics, that can be harder to address in an online space. You can ensure that participants feel comfortable by modelling compassionate behavior, and being explicit about community norms. Sometimes the most important norms are the least-often stated- be transparent about your intentions for the group
Use appropriate examples and real-world stories. These may help you to connect with participants, and encourage them to participate. If someone shares something too personal with the group, remind them that you are available after the training to follow up with them.
Support Participants before and after Training
Preparing an effective online training starts before the actual training session, and continues after you’ve presented. You should have clear and frequent communication with the organization you are working with, so you can best understand their needs. You may want to have participants sign up for your training in advance, so you can learn more about them in advance.
You can also use any sign up information to help you connect with participants after the online session. Make sure to provide your own contact information in case participants need to reach out with questions before or after the session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I’m doing an asynchronous training, what is the best platform to use to host it?
A: There are a lot of great options out there, and the organization you are working with may have a platform they prefer. However, one free way to host an online training course is to use Google Classroom. This option is free for google and gmail users, and is quick and easy to use. Check out this tutorial on how to get started with Google Classroom.